The Haunting of Major Graham Mansion

Ghostvillage has always provided insightful information on haunted sites.
In fact, Ghostvillage vaults are so rich with spooky lore that Jeff Belanger
wrote a best selling book from the archives, and the new edition of
The World's Most Haunted Places: From the Secret Files of
Ghostvillage.com is out now!

While Ghostvillage continues to offer readers information on personal
encounters and ghost related topics, many paranormal teams around the US (and
the world) are discovering awesome new haunts.

Ghostvillage will share insights about these newly emerging spooky sites.
One does not have to believe in ghosts to appreciate how public paranormal
interest can benefit a historic location. After all, these places and their
spirit inhabitants are the real "paracelebrities!"

In the hills outside about 20 miles east of Radford, Virginia, there is a gravel
road that travels deep into the woods. The road crosses rolling streams, a
quaint abandoned mill, and a deer-filled forest. One turns around the bend to
find a stately home at a place called Cedar Run. Major Graham Mansion, and the
large estate that includes a remarkably well-preserved slave quarters, two
spring houses and a barn, strikes a commanding presence.

They were the first team to investigate Major Graham, and few know the site as
well as VPS.

Major Graham Mansion has a complex history of gothic Southern, Civil War
proportions. Squire David Graham, an Irish immigrant, purchased the land in the
early 1800s. The location had bewitched history even at that time. Slaves
allegedly murdered the previous owner on the site in the late 1700s, and in
turn, they were hanged on the property.

Squire David built Major Graham Mansion and moved his wife, Martha Bell, into
the home. The marriage was not considered to be a good one. Research suggests
that Squire David may have hit the bottle too hard and that his wife suffered
from depression.

Their first born son, Major David Graham, the home's namesake, was born in the
house in 1838. He lived in the house his entire life and served as a Lieutenant
in the Civil War. The attic floor of the house includes what is called the
"Confederate Room" with a secret panel that some believe was used to conduct
military meetings during the war years. It is quite a contrast to the basement
of the home, which includes a shackle room thought to have harbored disobedient
slaves. There is an upstairs classroom where Major Graham's daughter taught
local children during the Civil War, and this room is considered to be one of
the more active spots in the home.

The mansion passed hands to other colorful personalities, including a Reid
Fulton who enjoyed walking around nude. This law professor owned Major Graham
from the 1940s until the late 1970s. The home was listed in the National
Registry of Historic Places in 1984.

The current owner has made many restorative efforts and launched "Graham's
Fest," a local music festival, scheduled to reappear in 2012. There are other
public events planned for this sprawling property, which now includes an outdoor
stage. Major Graham also offers paranormal-themed happenings and enjoys sharing
their spirited history.

For sure, there is some real spooky stuff going down.

Things That Go Bump and Hum in the Night

Nick Ferra, founder of VPS, remembers how Major Graham first came to his
attention.

An employee at worked told him about his own experiences on
the property. He drove up to the property and met the owner. After some time,
that first investigation was granted.

"Our first investigation of the mansion seemed very quiet as we spent around
twelve hours in this location recording audio and video in hopes of finding
evidence to the claims we had heard about," Nick recalls. "The next day when we
started to review all the footage from the investigation we were absolutely
stunned at what we had on audio. We caught a little girls voice on audio asking
a question 'What's your name?' Ever since our first investigation in October
2007, we have collected more potential EVP and have had numerous experiences."

He shares one of his favorite personal experiences at Major Graham. "I was in
the classroom on the second floor. I had heard something strange outside the
room. So I looked towards to the doorway and within a few seconds, I saw a
shadow of a person - the head and shoulders -- peak into the room and then back
out. I immediately had chills and as I went to check things out. I noticed no
one was outside of the room. I contacted our base unit and they advised me that
no one else was on the second floor with us."

He wonders, "Was it a spirit? I don't know but I couldn't figure out what it was
after numerous attempts to recreate it. That is just one of many experiences we
have had. We have had our hair pulled, our pants and shirts tugged at, we've
heard whispers and conversations in other rooms, and we've even been touched."

I investigated this site in April 2011 with Nick and some VPS members. The
ground's massive size is impressive as well as its preservation. The two-story
slave quarters still stands along with their washing house. A spring house, one
large and one small, dot the property as well as the barn. Most of the property,
barn included, has yielded EVP and a slew of personal experiences.

Evidence collected on site includes a vast array of personal experiences and
EVP. We captured an intriguing EVP in the Music Room during our investigation.
This particular room has a piano thought to be original to the home. I briefly
sang the old traditional hymn, Amazing Grace, and stopped mid-verse. This
is a technique I sometimes use to see if something will "finish" the tune.

Upon review, we recovered woman's voice going, da da daa da. Another team
of investigators, located upstairs, confirmed they were not the source. It seems
something was, indeed, singing with me.

Haunted South TV recently completed a documentary investigation at Major
Graham. John Edwards, Hauted South's lead investigator, says that the team
collected over 300 EVP over the course of four investigations at the mansion.
They feel over forty are Class A in quality. Edwards sugests that he has
documented part of the Major Graham's complex history. "I was able to piece
together a rather compelling story," he elaborates. "Whether it was the one of
who we believe to be Martha Graham in the basement saying 'Can You Please Tell
Gracie...I Need Her,' or the sound of little girl whispering 'hide'...the story
only starts there." He feels they have captured evidence that one of the Graham
men still "rule over the house with an iron fist."

"We also have what is possibly one of the creepiest things I have ever seen
featured on our documentary," John continues. "Stacey, my wife and co-lead
investigator, did a solo session in "Clara's Closet" with a IR night vision
camera and a special high gain microphone. Stacey asks a basic early EVP
question with 'Is there anyone in here with me?' to which we get an immediate
class A response of a smooth talking, deep voiced male spirit who says 'I'm in
here with you!' It has to be seen to be truly appreciated."

Check it Out!

There are many ways to enjoy this unique property. Major Graham hosts several
paranormal-themed seasonal activities through November with Ghost and History
Tours. The location also features Spooky Woods, a haunted barn attraction.
Paranormal groups can also investigate the location, up to 20 people, for a fee.
The investigations are managed by the property.

Visit
here for more info about visiting or investigation Major Graham. Tell
them Ghostvillage.com sent you!